what's cookin?

i daresay, julia child is an inspiration.

the hubster, niecy and i went to see julie & julia last night, and it was one of the most delightful movies i have seen in quite some time. even the hubster enjoyed it, but niecy and i did get a kick out of his slack-jawed, eyes closed "recess" during one of the slower moments, but a quick nudge snapped him out of it. (i've seen him do this during the most action-packed movies, too. apparently the inside of his eyelids are quite captivating)

anywhoo. . .

you can judge the level of an audience's engagement several ways. laughter during appropriate times is one of the most obvious, but exclamations of delight, hands clasped under one's chin as a sigh escapes the lips, and most certainly, the applause during the credits (who is to hear, the director?? not hardly) are tell-tale signs that the audience is captivated.

julia's joie de vivre is contagious, her passion for flavors is compelling, and her willingness to break the glass ceiling at the cordon blue is inspiring. it made me want to go buy a pound of butter and tackle a buerre blanc. to attempt coq au vin. to debone a duck (well, wait a minute, i'm not that inspired!).

i'm not the least bit intimidated. . . i've recently made four cheese lasagna and beef stroganoff. to rave reviews, too.

i've got hamburger helper and i'm not afraid to use it.

i really am not intimated, though. cooking isn't that mysterious. it's about following directions, right? and she is an inspiration. i am almost prompted to make my own crust for my key lime pie i'm making for tonight's dinner party.

but who am i kidding??

i remember when my mom was giving me a quick run-down of how to cut the butter (or shortening) into the flour for a pie crust. i stopped her and said, "ummm. mom, you've mistaken me for someone who's not adept at opening a box of pillsbury pie dough. i mean, for real, are you kidding me?!"

so back to dinner for tonight. i've got some chicken, some avacado, some cilantro, some limes. but i also have these mangoes and peaches just lying about. . .

hmmmm.

as much as i love a good recipe. . . i'm just as inclined to just grab what i've got and wing it.

it hasn't killed anyone in my family yet! (can't say as much for dan ackroyd)

good luck finding a copy of mastering the art of french cooking, her renowned cookbook, finally published in 1961. i'm sure this movie has catupulted it right back into the new york time's best seller's list. but you know, i think i'm going to try to hunt down a copy. perhaps on amazon or alibris.

was that a cheer from the fam? what, no more hamburger helper?? what shall i do with half the contents of my pantry!!?